'Anonymous' no more
An "anonymous" author is anonymous no more. Philadelphia is bracing for another night of protests. And was your coconut milk produced using monkey labor?
It's Ashley with the news to know.
But first, take a deep breath: Many Americans describe 2020 as one of the worst years in memory, a litany of terrors and traumas – the election, pandemic, natural disasters, racial unrest. Here are ways to cope with anxiety and fear.
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'Anonymous' unveiled
Miles Taylor just revealed himself as "Anonymous." Taylor, a former administration official, revealed himself Wednesday as the anonymous author of a scathing book about President Donald Trump, stepping forward six days before the election to endorse Democratic challenger Joe Biden. Taylor, a former chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security, authored a 2018 newspaper column and 2019 book that attacked Trump's leadership and described utter dysfunction within his administration. The book also revealed that Cabinet members considered mass resignations or invoking the 25th Amendment as possible ways to remove Trump from office. In 2018, Trump described the then-unknown author as a "gutless coward."
In other election 2020 news:
There are six days until Election Day. Here's what you need to know.
A new report warns that five states are at high risk for activity by armed groups around the election.
Winnable but not yet won: Why Joe Biden and Mike Pence are both headed to Iowa this week.
Philadelphia prepares for more protests over Walter Wallace killing
Philadelphia announced a citywide curfew and the Pennsylvania National Guard is being mobilized as the city braces for more protests over the police killing of a Black man. Walter Wallace Jr., 27, was fatally shot by police in west Philadelphia on Monday when officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon. Protests over the incident turned violent Tuesday, with police making 81 arrests overnight on charges of criminal trespass assault on police and disorderly conduct. At least 23 officers were injured, treated and released, and nine police vehicles were damaged.
Walter was fatally shot after his brother called 911 to request medical help, attorneys say. Why did police respond?
Hurricane Zeta makes landfall in storm-weary Louisiana
Hurricane Zeta made landfall Wednesday afternoon near Cocoderie, Louisiana, with winds estimated at 110 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Zeta is the 11th tropical storm or hurricane to hit the U.S. this year, an all-time record high for the nation. It's also the fifth tropical storm or hurricane to hit Louisiana this year, an all-time record for the state. Louisiana has had the worst of it this year, hit by two tropical storms and now three hurricanes. New Orleans has been in the warning area for potential tropical cyclones seven times this year, with each one veering to the east or west.
How to make your kids feel safe — and keep them occupied — during a hurricane.
What everyone’s talking about
Breonna Taylor's boyfriend remains haunted by her death. "Say her name. Don't say mine."
Khloe Kardashian revealed a past COVID-19 diagnosis as Kim faces backlash over her birthday party.
Walter Wallace, who was fatally shot by police in Philadelphia on Monday, had a mental illness, his family says. Why did police respond?
Kyle Rittenhouse's lawyers expect to call his mother and four experts to testify at a hearing on Wisconsin's efforts to extradite him to face homicide charges.
Show me the monkeys
Don't expect to find coconut milk on Costco shelves on your next shopping trip. The retailer has pledged not to stock coconut products from Thai suppliers who have been accused of using monkeys as forced labor, officials from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals exclusively told USA TODAY. PETA has been pushing stores to stop selling coconut milk allegedly made with coconuts harvested by monkeys since it began investigating the alleged animal exploitation in 2019. A PETA official said the investigation found that the monkeys can pick around 400 coconuts a day while in chains. Costco follows Walgreens, Food Lion, Giant Food and Stop & Shop, who also stopped stocking brands of coconut milk including Chaokoh amid the monkey labor allegations.
Dodgers' World Series win marred by Justin Turner's ~viral~ return to the field
In the most surreal celebration in World Series history, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the last team standing Tuesday, grabbing their masks, taking turns holding their World Series trophy. Then all of a sudden, there was third baseman Justin Turner holding the trophy and sitting in the front row of the team picture — the same dude who was yanked from the game because of a positive COVID-19 test. So why'd he do it? MLB says Turner "emphatically refused to comply" and stay in isolation after his positive test.
Real quick
What does Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation battle mean for control of the Senate?
European leaders are ratcheting up pandemic restrictions as a second wave of COVID-19 cases batters Italy, Spain and other countries.
Fox News' Bret Baier opens up about the election and his son's health battle ahead of his fourth open-heart surgery.
The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is using her Facebook page to amplify unsupported claims of corruption by Joe Biden.
US charges 8 in alleged secret Chinese surveillance plot
Federal authorities have charged eight people in connection with an alleged secret Chinese repatriation squad hunting fugitives in the United States. The suspects, whose mission was allegedly sanctioned by the People's Republic of China, worked for more than three years as part of a campaign known as "Operation Fox Hunt" to coerce Chinese nationals living in the United States to return to China, where they were wanted for various government offenses, U.S. officials say. Five of the suspects, including a New Jersey private investigator who allegedly assisted with surveillance, were arrested earlier Wednesday and charged as illegal agents of the PRC.
A break from the news
♛ "The Queen's Gambit": This Netflix miniseries about chess is one of the best shows of 2020.
🚘 The 2021 Mercedes GLA250 is a good small SUV, but is that good enough?
🎃 12 spooktacular Halloween decorations for 2020 you can get on sale.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anonymous, Trump, Hurricane Zeta, Walter Wallace: Wednesday's news
